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Tye River WMA

Overview

Spanning 1,044 acres in Nelson County with frontage on the Tye River, the Tye River WMA offers outdoor enthusiasts a little bit of everything, from hunting and fishing opportunities to unique views. Frontage on the beautiful Tye River, the rugged terrain, and the ample wildlife habitat made this WMA worth the visit.

Habitats at Tye River WMA range from mature upland loblolly pine forest to mixed mid-aged upland hardwood forest, with some older stands and a few small fields scattered throughout the property. The terrain is hilly, with elevation changes from 800′ to 400′ from the ridgetop to the river flood plain. The WMA fronts on the Tye River for roughly two miles. Most of the WMA is steep ridges and valleys leading to a small strip of river floodplain along the Tye River.

The main access road runs along the crest of the ridgeline in the WMA, with the gates open to vehicular traffic during hunting seasons and closed to vehicles other times but still open to users on foot or bikes. A maintained gravel parking area on the ridgetop offers access to the main road.

A word of caution: a road off the parking lot that’s gated and posted with No Trespassing signs crosses private property and should be avoided. Also, the area is remote, and cell service down in the river bottom is spotty.

Hunting

Sunday Hunting Opportunities on Public Lands in Virginia »

The early successional habitat and mast-producing trees help support whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, and gray squirrel populations, affording hunters good opportunities. Woodcock have also been spotted on the WMA’s field edges. Deer and spring gobbler seasons are popular at Tye River WMA.

The use of deer and bear dogs is prohibited on Tye River WMA.

Fishing

Anglers willing to walk in about a mile and a half can find a good smallmouth bass fishery on the Tye River from the WMA. There’s no boating access site, but hiking to the river from the ridgetop parking lot rewards anglers with good bank- or wade-fishing opportunities. Largemouth bass, bluegill, and brown, rainbow, and brook trout also populate the Tye River.

Other Activities

There are no marked, maintained trails on Tye River WMA other than the seasonal access road along the ridgetop, but explorers on foot or bike can access much of the WMA via the road and rough trails. Along the ridgetop, during the months when the trees have dropped their foliage, there are good overlooks of the river and multiple places to enjoy west-facing views of the mountains that you don’t usually get in the Piedmont. There is a good view east and southeast from the main parking lot year round.

There are plans to open a road leading to the river for foot and bike access only.

Maps & Directions

  • Physical address: 7145 Norwood Rd, Norwood, VA 24581 (view on Google Maps)
  • Coordinates: 37°38’07.4″N 78°50’19.8″W (37.635389, -78.838833)

The area is located approximately 15 miles south-east of Lovingston in the southeastern portion of Nelson County, near the community of Norwood.

Access from Lovingston: follow State Route 29 to State Route 653 Oak Ridge Rd, to Route 56, to State Route 626 Union Hill Dr, State Route 626 Norwood Rd. Access from Buckingham: Rt 60 to Rt 56, Turn onto Norwood Rd, follow for approximately 7 miles till portal sign.

A sign reading Tye River Wildlife Management Area

Map of Tye River WMA

What To Know Before Visiting

Recreational Opportunities